After a successful CD release party for their live album "Get it Get Off" at The Rock where over 400 fans attended on a cold Friday night in January, I joined the band, Gingerjake, the following Tuesday in their studio to talk about their plans for 2006.
While Ian Severson, (lead guitar and backing vocals), and Eric Rotter, (bass and backing vocals) were finishing up a project on the computer, I joined Amanda Harris, (lead vocals) and Joe Rotter (drums) in watching American Idol on T.V.
Well, to be more accurate, we were actually looking at the mirror opposite the T.V. sitting atop their magnet decorated refrigerator. If you just looked at the T.V. screen, the picture was fuzzy enough to give you a headache if you stared at it long enough. But watching it through the mirror, somehow the picture became almost crystal clear. I can't say I'll watch the show again on my own-perhaps because I don't have television-but I'd be down for watching it again with the band anytime. The show's a lot more entertaining to watch with commentary from already successful musicians.
The band plans on releasing a full length album later this spring. "We have ten new songs and we'll write ten more," says Eric. "Then choose ten to twelve [for the album.]"
Severson describes the sound of the new album as "more straightforward rock" that has a "punk influence" and that they're taking a more poppy approach to the music with less of a metal sound" this time. Harris's vocals will be more of the focus. "More estrogen, less testosterone," Joe jokes.
One significant adjustment the band has conquered is going from having two guitar players, Severson and Kris Weiser, to just one, Severson. Weiser left the band a few months ago and then joined former members of Liars Club to form The Payback. Weiser is not featured on Gingerjake's live album.
Did I mention yet Gingerjake is one of the nicest bands in the Twin Cities you'll ever meet? I had the opportunity to help sell merch at their Rock show and every band member stopped by throughout the night to ask how I was doing. As a seasoned merch girl, I can't say that about every band I've worked with; it just doesn't happen.
Humble about their beginnings-they've placed several times in 93X's Battle of the Bands-the band never gives off an error of arrogance. "[You need to] be careful not the let yourself get eaten up by the business," says Joe. The band credits a majority of their success to marketing. "We market the shit out of everything we do," says Harris. They have five large signs that they often set outside high schools to advertise for show, just one of their guerilla marketing techniques. Harris tells me they have over 400 registered people for their street team in the five-state area and that they even get coastal requests. Their most far away request? Try Australia.
From the 3-D metal Gingerjake sign to the Gingerjake rug hanging on the wall, handmade gifts from fans decorate around the studio. If you've never ever been to a Gingerjake show, be prepared to hear fans screaming "Gingerjake! Gingerjake!" before the set, during the set between songs, and after the set.
"Our allegiance is to our fans", says Eric. It's pretty clear that allegiance goes both ways.
www.gingerjake.com |
